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Ceiling Speakers

A long-time staple in many a contractor’s product line card, ceiling speakers have come a long way from providing bandwidth-limited background music to being full range, high-fidelity audio reprodu2/27/2012 10:46 AM Eastern

By Mark Johnson

Ceiling Speakers

Feb 27, 2012 3:46 PM,
By Mark Johnson

A long-time staple in many a contractor’s product line card, ceiling speakers have come a long way from providing bandwidth-limited background music to being full range, high-fidelity audio reproducers. These days they come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including the classic round with a back can, square, or rectangle acoustical tile size, and even pendants that hang down from the rafters. Some manufacturers have also created subwoofer options.

Many manufacturers offer more selections than the model highlighted in this overview. It’s recommended that you visit their websites for more in-depth information.

Audio Spotlight by Holosonics

Precise directional control of the soundfield is the name of the game for the Audio Spotlight by Holosonics. There are two models: the AS-16, which measures approximately 16in. x 16in., and the 24in. x 24in. AS-24 that can provide about twice the power and extends an octave lower in frequency response. The system requires a companion amplifier/processor. All required interconnection cables (25ft. BNC coax) are included.

Azden ACS-6.5

The AzdenACS-6.5 ceiling-mount speaker features a sealed-back enclosure, a 6.5in polypropylene midrange/woofer and a coaxially mounted one-inch polycarbonate tweeter. The speaker is designed to be easily flush-mounted in a drop ceiling and can handle up to 50W of continuous program each.

Bogen ACD2X2

Bogen manufactures the ACD2X2, which is a drop-in self-amplified ceiling speaker. The speaker features a 1W amplifier, back can, and a recessed volume control. The ACD2X2 is designed to fit into 2in. x 2in. ceiling grids or 2in. x 4in. grids using an included support rail. It has coverage of 100 degrees with a frequency response of 95Hz to 12kHz. It is available in off-white and bright white.

Bogen Near OPS1 Orbit

The Bogen Near OPS1 Orbit pendant speaker is available in either black or white and utilizes a 6.5in. MDT (Metal Diaphragm Technology) metal alloy cone and a 3/4in. polycarbonate dome tweeter. The speaker features 140-degree coverage and a frequency response of 45Hz to 19kHz. The connector provides loop through capabilities for multiple speakers. The fire-rated ABS enclosure comes in off-white or dark gray and is paintable.

Bose FreeSpace DS 100F

The FreeSpace DS 100F from Bose features 160-degree conical coverage and a frequency response of 60Hz to 20kHz. The speaker comprises a 2.25in. Twiddler driver and a 5.25in. woofer mounted in a ported enclosure. The DS 100F can be flush or pendant mounted in ceilings up to 32ft. high. Color options are black or white. The front baffle is polypropylene with a powder coated steel rear enclosure and grille.

Califone CS308 ClearSound

Califone’s model CS308 ClearSound in-ceiling loudspeaker features a 6in. polypropylene with Mica cone and a one-inch coaxial tweeter. The system includes a tile bridge to fit 24in. x 24in. or 2in. x 48in. panels. The white grille is paintable and the back cover is UL fire-rated ABS plastic. The frequency response is 45Hz to 20kHz.

Community Professional Loudspeaker DP 6

Community Professional Loudspeaker contributes the DP 6 pendant mount loudspeaker, which utilizes a 6.5in. low frequency driver and a coaxial 1in. exit compression high frequency driver mounted in a UL 94V-0 rated ABS plastic enclosure with a paintable matte finish. An integrated rear cover hides wires and hanging hardware. The coverage pattern is 125 degrees conical (500Hz to 6kHz) with the overall operating range of 65Hz to 22kHz. The loudspeaker is switchable for 8ohms or 70V/100V operation.

Ceiling Speakers

Feb 27, 2012 3:46 PM,
By Mark Johnson

The ExtronFF 220T drop-in ceiling tile speaker features a UL 2043 rated enclosure and Extron’s Flat Field Technology. The white perforated metal grille matches the appearance of HVAC vents. The frequency range of the one-way full range system is 68Hz to 18kHz with a nominal conical coverage of 170 degrees. Operation is 70V or 100V with power taps for 16W 8W, 4W, 2W and 1W.

K-Array’s KT20Cma 2in. point source self-powered compact speaker features an enclosure machined from a single piece of aluminum and a one module Class D electronically processed 30W amplifier that requires 12V to 24V. The frequency range is 150Hz to 18kHz. The maximum SPL is 107dB peak and the coverage is 90 degrees horizontal and vertical.

Kramer SPK-C820

The SPK-C820 from Kramer features a central 8in. polypropylene driver and four 3/4in. pivoting silk dome tweeters that provide 180-degree coverage in this speaker. Available in full or half tile sizes with a grille that looks like a standard suspended ceiling, it features a frequency range of 60Hz to 20kHz with a mean SPL of 87dB +/- 1dB @ 1W-1m. The design provides the ability for stereo from a single unit.

Providing a unique form factor, OAP Audio’s CH1-1000 “Ceiling Hugger” comprises a 12in. low frequency driver and a 6.5in. mid/high coaxial device that delivers a frequency response of 60Hz to 17kHz with a sensitivity of 86dB (1 watt/1 meter) and a coverage pattern of 170 horizontal x 45 degrees vertical. The CH1-1000 comes in black, white or unfinished. The fabric grille is available in black, white, pumice and wheat cloth.

Peavey PHR 630

Peavey’s Architectural Acoustics division proffers the PHR 630 metal back can ceiling speaker featuring a 6.5in. woofer and a 3/4in. soft dome tweeter mounted to a high-impact UL-compliant polystyrene enclosure housed in a formed steel back can. The frequency response is 90Hz to 20kHz. Transformer taps for 70V operation are 30W, 15W, 7.5W, 3.75W, and 1.9W.

Penton Audio RCS8XT

The RCS8XT from Penton Audio is an 8in. coaxial unit that features a torsion mount assembly for a hardware-free installation. The frequency response is 40Hz to 18kHz with a 90-degree coverage pattern at 2kHz. The speaker has transformer taps at 8W, 4W, 2w, 1w, and 0.5W for both 70.7V and 25V operation.

Best known for manufacturing speakers with a spherical form factor since the mid ‘70s Soundsphere’s new Q-CA provides 360-degree horizontal coverage with a more “traditional” appearance. Featuring a proprietary design-specific 6.5in. coaxial driver, the frequency response is 70Hz to 17kHz. A rotary switch on the baffle allows for transformer tap selection.

Speco Technologies Nexus SP6NXCTUL

Speco Technologies’ Nexus SP6NXCTUL feature industrial metal back cans and uses a 6.5in. polypropylene woofer and a coaxial 3/4in. silk dome tweeter. Available 70V transformer settings include 30W, 15W, 7.5W, 3.7W and 1.9W and the frequency response is 60Hz to 20kHz. As intimated by the last two letters in the model designation, the speaker has met or passed UL 1480 requirements for fire safety.

Tannoy OCV 8

In the UK, the term “tannoy” is used generically to refer to any PA system. This is due in part to the history of the company, which dates back to the mid 1920s. Tannoy is known for advancing the state of the art of “Dual Concentric” coaxial drivers. The OCV 8 comprises a coaxial 8in. woofer and a 1in. soft dome tweeter mounted in a cylindrical enclosure. The frequency range is 50Hz to 30kHz with an 80-degree conical coverage pattern.

Yorkville Sound Coliseum C165W

The Yorkville SoundColiseum C165W has a coaxial 6.5in. woofer and a 3/4in. titanium-coated tweeter that provides a frequency response of 100Hz to 20kHz. The speaker provides 70V taps at 7.5W, 15W, 30W and 60W, and 100V taps at 15W, 30w and 60W. The enclosure is aluminum and ABS plastic. The standard color is white.